Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Books to Read in 2023: My TBR List

books to read in 2023 by Nada Sobhi aka Nadaness In Motion including fiction and non-fiction books


I wasn’t sure if I should create a list a to-be-read (TBR) list for 2023, because I didn’t hold myself accountable for my TBR list for 2020. But then again, 2020 was an overall unpredictable year.

Like 2020, my list of books to read in 2023 will include fiction and non-fiction. I’ll leave the poetry books to chance.

On a positive note, I just realized that I read 2 books from the 2020-to-read list in 2022! Yay! (Or how embarrassing!) Those books were Bound by Kirsten Weiss and Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business by Frances Frei & Anne Morriss. I’ve not reviewed Uncommon Service yet, but I’ve shared a few quotes from the book on Instagram and LinkedIn.

I figured I’d give the TBR-list-blog-post another go. Especially since I’d like to read more non-fiction books. And maybe I’ll be able to hold myself a bit more accountable this time. At least to complete 50% to 60% of this list.

If you’ve read any of these books, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or if you’re planning to read any of them, let me know and let’s share each other’s reviews.

 

Note: I’ll be updating this list with reviews of the books I read.

Further reading: Here are my best books of 2022


books to read in 2023 by Nada Sobhi aka Nadaness In Motion including fiction and non-fiction books

 

Books to Read in 2023: My TBR Non-Fiction List

So, what am I planning to read in 2023?

Let’s look at the non-fiction books first. Then, I’ll try to list a few of my upcoming fiction reads.

 

Book cover for Published by Chandler Bolt
Published: The Proven Path From Blank Page to Published Author by Chandler Bolt

One of my books to read in 2023 is Published: The Proven Path From Blank Page to Published Author by Chandler Bolt from Self-Publishing School, now Selfpublishing.com. I don’t remember what I signed up to on SPS but I got a free copy of this book and I can’t wait to start reading it!

Plus, I want to start my publishing journey, so this should be a good start to getting published.

 


Atomic Habits by James Clear

Bringing this book back from 2020, I’d like to try again and read Atomic Habits by James Clear.

I've heard many good things about this book. And I desperately need to create a few positive habits – specifically time-management-related habits – in 2023.

So, what better way to start? Reading Atomic Habits sounds like a pretty good idea.

 

Book cover for Red Flags: How to Spot Frenemies, Underminers, and Toxic People in Your Life by Wendy L. Patrick
Red Flags: How to Spot Frenemies, Underminers, and Toxic People in Your Life by Wendy L. Patrick

I picked up this hardcover book a few years ago. It’s been collecting dust on my shelves for a while. This year, I’d like to read. I’ve been diving into human psychology for various reasons. 

So, Red Flags should jump on my books to read in 2023.

I also want to read more physical books instead of just having them sit on my shelves. Red Flags is one of them.

  

Book cover for This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin

If you work in marketing, then Seth Godin’s This Is Marketing is one of the highly-recommended books in the field. When I’m not a book blogger, I’m a freelance B2B copywriter. So, I live and breathe marketing – or specifically content marketing.

I’ll let you know how helpful This Is Marketing really is when I get to it.


 

Book cover for Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen
Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen

I request this book a while back from its author Nancy J. Cohen. Every time I say I want to start it, I pull back because I want to time the read it when I can also work on my cozy mystery.

Since I’ve not been able to do much creative writing in the past 2 years, I decided I’ll read Writing the Cozy Mystery in 2023 regardless of my writing schedule or plans.

I’m really looking forward to reading this one. Plus, it’s one of those self-help books on writing that’s short.

 

Book cover for Everything Is Fucked by Mark Manson
Everything Is F-cked by Mark Manson

I read the first book in this series, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F-ck, about 2 years ago (how time flies!). Now, I want to start this one.

Mark Manson’s are books are those easy-looking but effective books. They’re light, with a decent amount of storytelling.

Read my review, featuring book quotes, of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F-ck.



Books to read in 2023, books from my personal library
Here are my books to read in 2023. The print books at least.

 

Books to Read in 2023: My TBR Fiction List

Now, on to the fun books. If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know my two favorite genres are Fantasy and Mystery. The latter includes thriller, cozy mystery, and paranormal cozy mystery.

As I sat down to write this list, I tried to add a few other genres but it seems I was unsuccessful. We’ll just have to wait and see what other books pop up during the year that I add here.

 

Book cover for The Case of the Uncommon Witness by Alison Golden
The Case of the Uncommon Witness by Alison Golden

I’ve been in love with this series since I discovered it during the pandemic. The Case of the Uncommon Witness is the nineth book in the Detective Inspector David Graham Series. It’s also my sixth (?) book in the series.

As part of Alison Golden’s book review street team, I should read and review this book in January. So, fingers crossed that I do so.


 

Book cover for Dead Letters by Sheila Lowe
Dead Letters by Sheila Lowe

I received a free copy of Dead Letters from its author Sheila Lowe in exchange for an honest review that’s LOOOONG overdue! 

So, I’m bumping up this book to my 2023 to-read list as much as I can.

It's a mystery, thriller with a stint in Egypt. So, I'm super curious and excited to start reading Dead Letters

 


Book cover for Echo: The Curse of the Blackwood Witches by Yasmine Maher
Echo: The Curse of the Blackwood Witches by Yasmine Maher

Yasmine is a friend and former work colleague. And in 2022, she published Echo: The Curse of the Blackwood Witches and I started it but haven’t finished it. I look forward to finishing it around February.

It's an urban fantasy novel with magic, witches, and monsters. Plus, it's written by a friend. :) 

 

Book cover for Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie

Last year, I bought a set of Agatha Christie books. I had planned to read Murder in Mesopotamia last year but I had fewer reading months and hours in 2022 than I did in previous years.

I’m planning to read Murder in Mesopotamia during the summer when I’ll, hopefully, have more time and will need paperbacks for reading on the beach.

 


Book cover for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Another book by Dame Agatha Christie. My friend and work colleague Mai recommended this book to me. And as a lover of all things mystery, I’m adding it to my list of books to read in 2023. Possibly another summer read.

Yes, I know. My summer reading looks like it’s going to full of murder! Can’t complain :D


Book cover for A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

This book has been getting lots of positive reviews. In fact, it currently has 484,000 ratings, with over 250,700 5-star reviews on Goodreads. So, it must be good, right?

It’s a paperback and on my books to read list for 2023. So, I’ll let you know how it turns out.

It’s likely going to be a summer read so you may have to wait a bit though.


 

Book cover for Andersen's Fairy Tales
Andersen’s Fairytales by Hans Christian Andersen

I bought this paperback copy of Andersen’s Fairytales years ago! I found another fairytales book in my car recently and figured it’s time to pick this one up again. I had read a few stories, but don’t remember any of them.

So, here’s another paperback book added to my 2023 to-read list. 



The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

Book cover for The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
“Step into The City of Brass, the spellbinding debut from S. A. Chakraborty, an imaginative alchemy of The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and Uprooted, in which the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom rests in the hands of a clever and defiant young con artist with miraculous healing gifts.”

This is the opening of the blurb for The City of Brass via Goodreads. I received a free copy in an international giveaway by the author several years ago and I’ve no idea why I didn’t start this book.

2023 is going to be the year I read it. *fingers crossed*

 

Book cover for The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

I bought this book based on a recommendation from a friend – I think! It’s one of the shorter books on my 2023 to-read list so I hope it’ll be a quick and good read.

Besides, I haven't read anything for Neil Gaiman yet. So, 2023 is a good time to start.


 

Final Words 

Based on this list, I have 14 books. My to-read reading target for 2023 is 24 books. I’ve realized that there are months when I can read more often, and months when I can’t read at all. December 2022 was one of those months. And so far January is proving to be problematic too.

 


Saturday, December 10, 2022

The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan – Spotlight

Today, I’ve got a new spotlight for you that’s also a semi-finalist in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA). It’s got fantasy, adventure, and magic! Not to mention a wicked cover!

Let me introduce you to…

 

 

Book info

Publisher: Self-Published

Length: 485 Pages

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Adventure

Age Category: Upper Young Adult, New Adult

Publication date: 1 February 2021

 

Book blurb

Jekku Aj’ere can see everything from the start of time to the end, and it’s an agonizing curse. His only chance to bargain for freedom is to find the Oracle Stone, a magic artifact that was split into four pieces and hidden centuries ago.

Lilya Noor wants to forget her past and be immortal, so she agrees to a blood oath that will grant her eternal life if she delivers the Oracle Stone to her Master of Magic. Failure is not an option, but what if the stone offers a better deal than simple immortality?

Vaeltaja Ievisin has one chance for redemption: the Second Savior. Presenting the Savior and the lost Oracle Stone to his gods will end his banishment, but the Savior isn’t at all what Taja expected, and neither is the stone. And how much is forgiveness worth, anyway, when the gods are never satisfied?

There are higher powers at play, and Jekku, Lilya, and Taja must pull themselves together or risk losing their magic and their lives to the vengeful spirits trapped in the stone. But it’s hard to prevent a magical catastrophe when you can’t trust anyone, including yourself, and certainly not the gods.

 

Add The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan on Goodreads.

Find the book on Amazon Canada, Amazon US, or Amazon UK.

 

About the Author:

Hailing from Upstate New York, Talli L. Morgan is the author of the Windermere Tales series. When they're not buried in books -- their own or someone else's -- Talli hangs out on Twitter and co-hosts a Q&A chat for writers. And if you can't find them there, they're probably hiding in the corner of a library.


Connect with Talli on Twitter @TLM_writes and on Instagram @tallimorgan.books.

 


About BBNYA:

This year, the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the 50 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 10 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

 

Check out more BBNYA spotlights on Nadaness In Motion

All the Whys of Delilah’s Demise by Neve Maslakovic

Becoming Animals by Olga Werby and Christopher Werby

Earthlings: The Beginning by Ray Star

Emma and the Minotaur by Jon Herrera

The Iron Crown by L.L. Macrae

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson

Ascension of the Phoenix by Jessica Piro

By the Hand of Dragons: Rook by Alexzander Christion

Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

Dragon’s Reach by JA Andrews 

Friday, December 2, 2022

Dragon’s Reach by J.A. Andrews – Spotlight

We’re back with another spotlight post, celebrating semi-finalists in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA).

Today’s book? More DRAGONS! YAY!

And I LOVE this book cover!

Let me introduce you to… *drum roll*

 

Dragon’s Reach by J.A. Andrews


Book info

Publisher: Self-Published

Length: 614 Pages

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Adult

Publication Date: 19 May 2020

 

Book blurb

Sable has spent ten years trapped in the slums, indebted to a ruthless gang boss Kiva, and scrambling to keep her younger sister safe.

She has nothing but the power to feel the truth in people’s words and a gnawing longing for freedom.

When she catches the slightest glimpse of escape through a traveling theater troupe, she must decide if the chance is worth risking Kiva’s wrath.

But there are more vicious evils in the world than gang bosses, and some threats you can’t outrun.

 




Add Dragon’s Reach by J.A. Andrews on Goodreads.

Find the book on Amazon Canada, Amazon US, or Amazon UK.

 

About the Author:

JA Andrews lives deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana with her husband and three children. She is eternally grateful to CS Lewis for showing her the luminous world of Narnia.

She wishes Jane Austen had lived 200 years later so they could be pen pals. She is furious at JK Rowling for introducing her to house elves, then not providing her a way to actually employ one. And she is constantly jealous of her future-self who, she is sure, has everything figured out.

You can find her at www.jaandrews.com.

 

About BBNYA:

This year, the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the 50 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 10 finalists and one overall winner.


If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the
BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

 

Check out more BBNYA spotlights on Nadaness In Motion

All the Whys of Delilah’s Demise by Neve Maslakovic

Becoming Animals by Olga Werby and Christopher Werby

Earthlings: The Beginning by Ray Star

Emma and the Minotaur by Jon Herrera

The Iron Crown by L.L. Macrae

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson

Ascension of the Phoenix by Jessica Piro

By the Hand of Dragons: Rook by Alexzander Christion

Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

Dragon’s Reach by JA Andrews

The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan

Sunday, November 27, 2022

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus - Spotlight

Today, I’m happy to feature one of my favorite authors! It’s Marc Remus, folks! If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve probably seen me review many of his books.

Today, I’m shining a spotlight on a book that’s been on my to-read list and that’s a semi-finalist in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award.

Meet… *drum roll*


The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

 


 

Book info

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

Publisher: Misty Moon Books

Length: 227 Pages

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure

Publication Date: 31 December 2021

 

Book blurb

Everybody in Sugarland is overweight because there’s no food other than sweets. For decades, delicious Chocolate Clouds soared above Choco-Locoville, the hometown of ten-year-old Henry. They would melt in the intense summer sun and chocolate would drip from the sky. Henry’s family collected the drops and made a fortune, building a candy empire that controlled Sugarland’s food supply.

One morning, Henry wakes up to the shocking news that the Chocolate Clouds have disappeared. With the family‘s empire in jeopardy and Sugarland at risk of starvation, Henry now ventures beyond the scary Monster Mountains and embarks on a wild journey.

Along the way, he befriends magical creatures, learns about healthy food choices, and discovers that the Chocolate Clouds didn’t just disappear but were actually stolen. Now he must visit the creepy Barebone Island, where monsters are said to live…

 

Add The Chocolate Clouds on Goodreads.

Find the book on Amazon Canada, Amazon US, and Amazon UK.

 

Stay tuned for my book review of The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus, which I expect will be amazing!

 

About the Author:

Marc Remus is an award-winning German painter and author. His books have received more than twenty literary awards and have been translated into seven languages.

Remus was educated in the United States, graduated with a BA in art and illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, and lived in Japan and Central America for many years. He has traveled to almost seventy countries and visited over a thousand cities, of which he has painted over two hundred. His work has been featured on TV and in many magazines and newspapers in Germany, USA, and Mexico.

During his art studies in California in the 1990s, Remus took his first children’s book illustration class. His college teacher inspired him to start writing and not just illustrating. The result was a picture book called Painting Brian, which led to his first book and eventually to the Magora series. In the early 2000s, Remus studied for four years at the Institute of Children’s Literature. In 2016 the Magora book, which he had initially written more than twenty years before, was finally published. During the five years that followed, eight more books were published, and Remus received many literary awards for his achievements.

Having a sweet tooth since childhood, Remus embarked on a new journey in 2019. Surrounded by many overweight friends and family members, Remus came up with an idea to teach children a healthy way of eating without preaching. This idea resulted in The Chocolate Clouds. It took the author two years to illustrate the book. With over 150 drawings, it is a rarity in children’s literature.

Today, Marc Remus is working on a new children’s book while The Chocolate Clouds are being translated into more languages. He continues to eat chocolate.

 

Discover the Magora series in my book reviews. 5-star reads!

Magora: The Gallery of Wonders (Book 1)

Magora: The Golden Maple Tree (Book 2)

Magora: The Bridge in the Fog (Book 3)

Magora: The Uprising (Book 4)

The Language Thieves

 

Connect with Marc Remus via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and his website.

 

About BBNYA:

This year, the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the 50 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 10 finalists and one overall winner.



If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

 

Check out more BBNYA spotlights on Nadaness In Motion

All the Whys of Delilah’s Demise by Neve Maslakovic

Becoming Animals by Olga Werby and Christopher Werby

Earthlings: The Beginning by Ray Star

Emma and the Minotaur by Jon Herrera

The Iron Crown by L.L. Macrae

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson

Ascension of the Phoenix by Jessica Piro

By the Hand of Dragons: Rook by Alexzander Christion

Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge

Dragon's Reach by J.A. Andrews 

The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge - Spotlight

There aren’t many good women’s fiction novels – not that I’ve seen – these days. That’s why I’m excited to shine a spotlight on another semi-finalist in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA).

Meet….



Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge

 

Book info

Publisher: Louise Walters Books

Length: 192 Pages

Genre: Literary Fiction, Women’s fiction, Adult

Publication date: 26 September 2019

 

Book blurb

1960s New York, and Emma Bowden seems to have it all – a glamorous Manhattan apartment, a loving husband, and a successful writing career.

But while Emma and her husband Jonathan are on vacation at the Hamptons, a child drowns in the sea, and suspicion falls on Emma.

As her picture-perfect life spirals out of control, and old wounds resurface, a persistent and monotonous voice in Emma’s head threatens to destroy all that she has worked for...

Taut, elegant and mesmerising, Don’t Think a Single Thought is a captivating exploration of mental health, of women's place in society, and of the inner workings of a picture-perfect marriage.

 

Add Don’t Think a Single Thought by Diana Cambridge on Goodreads

Find the book on AmazonCanada, Amazon US, or Amazon UK.

  

About the Author:

Diana Cambridge is an award-winning journalist. She has written for many national newspapers and magazines, gives regular writing workshops, and is a Writer-in-Residence at Sherborne, Dorset. 

She was Agony Aunt to Writing Magazine. She lives in Bath.

Connect with Diana Cambridge via Twitter.


About BBNYA:

This year, the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the 50 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 10 finalists and one overall winner.



If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

 
Check out more BBNYA spotlights on Nadaness In Motion

All the Whys of Delilah’s Demise by Neve Maslakovic

Becoming Animals by Olga Werby and Christopher Werby

Earthlings: The Beginning by Ray Star

Emma and the Minotaur by Jon Herrera

The Iron Crown by L.L. Macrae

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson

Ascension of the Phoenix by Jessica Piro

By the Hand of Dragons: Rook by Alexzander Christion 

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

Dragon's Reach by J.A. Andrews 

The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan